What Spain created in the Americas?

The Spanish Empire created a vast colonial empire in the Americas, beginning with the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492. Over the next three centuries, Spain established colonies throughout the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and the southwestern United States. These colonies were a major source of wealth for Spain, providing gold, silver, tobacco, sugar, and other agricultural products. Spain also introduced Catholicism and European culture to the Americas, which had a profound impact on the development of the region.